Genesis of spermatodesms in Tylopsis liliifolia (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae) and their transit in the male genital tract

The spermatodesms of Tylopsis liliifolia form in the most proximal follicular cysts and are composed of a large number of sperm held together by a cap located in the anterior region of the acrosome. The cap is formed by short thin fibrils, loosely arranged at random, probably derived from secretory activity of cells of the cyst wall. Compared to other Tettigoniidae, a peculiar feature is acrosomal wings that twist gradually around the anterior region of the nucleus; at the end of the twisting process, the region of the sperm acrosome, observed in cross section, shows a typical spiral form. Spermatodesms do not undergo any substantial changes in the spermiduct. The epithelial cells of the wall have secretory activity and many show marked spermiophagic activity, which is conducted by epithelial cell protrusions that envelop the gametes, taking them into the cytoplasm. When removed from seminal vesicles and observed in vivo, spermatodesms show accentuated corkscrew movement, and when observed by SEM, slight torsion. Thus organized, spermatodesms are transferred to the spermatophore during mating, where they are transformed before reaching the seminal receptacle. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.